Elliott Wilkinson Cook (1818)

Born 13 Jun 1818 in Cumberland, R. I., USA

Ancestors

Biography

Mr. Cook emigrated to Lockport in 1837, raised an army for the Mexican War, but did not go. In 1849 he went to California as treasurer of the "Niagara and California Mining Company," Col. E. Jewett Prest, stayed three months in Central America and one year in California. He returned to Lockport and opened a store on Main Street, where he continued until the breaking out of the Rebellion. He then gave up his business, and set about raising a Regiment and with the help of Dudley Donnelly, Esq., and C. S. Skeels of Albany soon organized the 28th Regt. N. Y. State Vols., Donnolly was elected Colonel, and Cook, Captain of Co. A., but was soon promoted to Major in which capacity he served until the Battle of Cedar Mountain. Being ordered to charge the enemy, he did so, broke their lines, but being unsupported, was surrounded and taken prisoner. While standing within a few feet of the rebels, after he had surrendered, he was fired upon, the ball grazing his head and the powder blackening his face. Jeff. Davis issued a proclamation declaring all commissioned officers serving under "John Pope," to be outlaws and felons, and ordering their immediate execution upon capture. Maj. Cook and 31 others were among the first lot taken after this proclamation (Aug. 9, 1862) and was being taken to the rear for this purpose, when a superior officer ordered the rebel squad back to the lines where they were needed, as the battle was still raging. He was taken to Richmond, and confined in Libby Prison. On his release he tore down a notice that was stuck on a post, which said "the Federal officers confined in this room are not Prisoners of War, but outlaws and felons, and will be treated according." He was promoted for his gallantry to Lieut. Col., and had command of his Reg. during the remaining term of their service. Col. Donnelly was killed in this battle, and Lieut. Col. Brown lost an arm, but was promoted to the colonelcy, also elected County Clerk of Orleans Co., N. Y. He held both places, and only joined the Regiment when on its way home. The 28th was considered a "fighting Reg't," and bore a gallant part during the war, and had inscribed upon its banners: Winchester, Cedar Mountain, Rappahannoch, Antietam, and Chancellorsville. Col. Cook was in the battle of Chancellorsville under Gen. Hooker, and was again surrounded, captured and taken to Libby Prison. He was soon exchanged, after suffering the tortures of this "black hole" of Virginia the second time. He received many flattering testimonials from Gen'ls Banks and Slocum, as well as from Gen'ls Williams and Crawford with whom he served. He has a natural talent for military tactics, and is considered a superior officer. Col. Cook is an accomplished gentlemanly, sic highly respected by his fellow-citizens, resides at Lockport, N. Y.

Sources

• Memoirs of the Wilkinson Family in America, 1869